India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has identified potential compressor stall issues in the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines as a key focus of the Air India Express crash probe.
Preliminary findings suggest the left engine lost thrust during takeoff from Mumbai, while damaged flap mechanisms may have prevented altitude recovery. The DGCA has ordered immediate inspections for all 27 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in Indian fleets.
Emergency Airworthiness Directive Grounds 17 Aircraft
India’s aviation regulator mandated 48-hour checks for fan blade integrity, flap actuator hydraulics and flight control software
At least 17 Dreamliners were temporarily grounded after initial inspections revealed micro-fractures in three aircraft’s engine components. Air India and Vistara have canceled 43 flights as mechanics work through the safety checklist.
Cockpit voice recorder transcripts obtained by investigators capture pilots reporting “uncommanded roll” moments after rotation. Flight data shows the left engine’s RPM dropped to 45% while flaps remained stuck at 15 degrees – a potentially catastrophic configuration during climbout. Boeing has dispatched a technical team to Mumbai to assist the probe.
Why It Matters
The FAA and EASA are monitoring India’s findings closely, with Japan’s JCAB already recommending additional Trent 1000 inspections. This marks the third major Dreamliner incident in 2024, following January’s LOT Polish Airlines engine fire and March’s United Airlines flap malfunction.
As families of the 242 victims await answers, aviation experts note this could become a watershed moment for Dreamliner safety protocols. With Boeing still recovering from 737 MAX crises, the 787’s reliability now faces intense scrutiny during peak travel season.
